Armed with no small amount of optimism, I settled in for a six-hour shift of
spreading cheer, one peck on the cheek at a time. But let’s be honest; this
was not a story of relentless, queue-around-the-block demand.
The first hour was… contemplative. I had ample time to admire the
architecture. Just as I began questioning all my life choices, Jess appeared
like a redheaded angel, breaking the seal with a cheerful, inaugural Kiss #1.
Very appropriate that my first kiss of the day should be some redhead on
redhead snogging.
Then, the Shinku District resumed its normal flow, and my booth returned to being a curiously still island in the river of people. Until Anthony thankfully swung by, all confident smiles, for Kiss #2. Progress, but the pattern was set: long, patient waits punctuated by lovely, sudden connections.
Then, the Shinku District resumed its normal flow, and my booth returned to being a curiously still island in the river of people. Until Anthony thankfully swung by, all confident smiles, for Kiss #2. Progress, but the pattern was set: long, patient waits punctuated by lovely, sudden connections.
After another quiet stretch followed before Emmy arrived, bringing a wave of
bright energy for Kiss #3. And in a delightful twist of booth etiquette,
Amanda appeared right behind her, waiting politely for her turn to step up for
Kiss #4. The universe was sending them in pairs, it seemed.
But then came The Great Wait. The neon signs flickered on as night time set in, and foot traffic slowed. I checked my watch, mentally drafting my “well, I tried” recap. And then, just as I announced on social media that I'd be calling it a day shortly and was about to pack up my un-kissed cheeks, Jerome made a last-minute, dash-in rescue for Kiss #5! A true hero of the hour.
He waved goodbye, and I turned to leave my my booth. But the day had one more surprise in store. Emmy reappeared, blocking my exit with a mischievous grin. “Wait!” she ordered. She explained that she had brought me one final kiss who was waiting upstairs. To be honest, I was pretty done and ready to head to bed but who was I to refuse one more kiss from someone who had made the effort to come visit me? She promptly produced Ty, who graciously delivered the grand finale, Kiss #6.
And just like that, my time was up with the final tally of 6 kisses across 6
hours. Mathematically, that’s one kiss per hour, a study in exquisite spacing.
How does it stack up though? It’s down from last year’s record-setting 11 - a
tough act to follow for sure but I did get to spend a whole Sunday manning my
booth instead of just a Monday evening. It does proudly edge out the 5 kisses
of 2024 and 2023 though. So, we’ll call it a solid, mid-table finish with a
fantastic narrative arc!
Beyond the numbers, this day reminded me of the wonderful, spontaneous weirdness of putting yourself out there. It’s about the Jessicas who start your day right, the Anthonys and Amandas who choose to participate, the Jeromes who save you from going out with a damp squib, and the Emmys of the world who go out of their way to make sure you finish on a high note.
To everyone in Shinku Red Light District who waved, smiled, or even just glanced curiously at the redhead in the booth - thank you. And to my magnificent six: you’ve given me stories, smiles, and a very happy Kiss a Ginger Day.
Until next January!
Beyond the numbers, this day reminded me of the wonderful, spontaneous weirdness of putting yourself out there. It’s about the Jessicas who start your day right, the Anthonys and Amandas who choose to participate, the Jeromes who save you from going out with a damp squib, and the Emmys of the world who go out of their way to make sure you finish on a high note.
To everyone in Shinku Red Light District who waved, smiled, or even just glanced curiously at the redhead in the booth - thank you. And to my magnificent six: you’ve given me stories, smiles, and a very happy Kiss a Ginger Day.
Until next January!
